Midnight. The Hollywood Hills.
Hunter Sun rode his modified Aprilia RSV into the winding canyons of the San Gabriel Valley, the lights of Los Angeles shimmering below like a sea of fallen stars.
He slowed down as the estates grew larger, hidden behind high walls and manicured hedges.
Earlier that afternoon, the Continental's email had confirmed his target: Kevin Snod.
Hunter hadn't needed much convincing. According to the dossier, Kevin was the scion of the powerful Snod family and the owner of Lightpons Private Hospital. He was also the client who had hired Jane's agency.
Kevin didn't know for sure that Hunter was the one who killed Charlie in his hospital. He had just heard rumors from corrupt LAPD contacts and decided to put a hit out on the most likely suspect to vent his frustration over lost profits.
"Bad move, Kevin," Hunter thought, killing the engine as he coasted to a stop near a trailhead.
He checked the area for cameras, then stored the bike in his Inventory.
He was being extra careful now. The LAPD had tracked his previous bike via CCTV, a mistake he wouldn't repeat. This new bike was bought second-hand, unregistered, and heavily modified. It existed on no database.
Hunter hiked up the trail toward the estate.
According to the Continental, the Snod estate covered seven acres. It was guarded by private security—ex-military contractors—and attack dogs.
But the hotel hadn't provided a blueprint.
"A test within a test," Hunter mused. "They want to see if I can improvise."
The Perimeter.
Hunter reached the estate's outer wall. It was ten feet high, topped with iron spikes but no electric wire. He scanned for cameras and motion sensors.
Finding a blind spot, he backed up, sprinted, and leaped.
With Strength (38) and Agility (38), he cleared the wall effortlessly, landing silently on the grass inside.
He summoned his weapon of choice: the Sniper Lyca Crossbow.
A suppressed pistol was quiet, but a crossbow was silent. In the dead of night, it was the perfect tool for a ghost.
Hunter moved through the shadows, his senses dialed to maximum. His Perception (40) allowed him to see in the dark almost as well as in daylight.
He froze.
Sixty meters ahead, near a pool house, a dog was sleeping in a wooden kennel.
It was an American Pit Bull Terrier. Medium-sized, muscular, and notoriously aggressive. If it smelled him or heard him, it would bark, alerting the entire compound.
Hunter raised the crossbow.
The dog's ears twitched. It lifted its head, sensing something wrong.
Thwip.
The bolt flew true. It struck the dog through the snout, piercing the brain instantly.
The animal convulsed once, then went limp. No bark. No growl. Just silence.
Hunter lowered the crossbow and moved forward.
First obstacle down. Now for the humans.
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